Originally Posted by
Gordonrs
I found one trail but I do not think it's an active trail, it could even be a people trail. No deer signs droppings or anything. But there is long grass folded down in spots just outside the trail in the field. Maybe a summer time trail???at this point it is a little late for scouting and I do not want to go blindly stomping through the thickets looking for trials. But that is what I will have to do if I want to be down wind. I'll also have to lose the stand and abandon the bait. I'm getting does to come to the corn, I'm just not sure what direction they are coming from and they only come in the middle of the night. If I'm only seeing does on my cam does that mean there aren't any bucks? I just want meat in the freezer should I use calls and scents? I'm thinking I might try the bait spot one more time for an evening hunt and then try something else just not sure what that should be.
you are prob close to bedding areas. You also may be scaring them out when you walk in. try to clear a trail to your stand so you dont make much noise when you go in. Trails dont have to have pellets to be active. If they look worn there should be tracks old or new in the trails.
Where there are doe's there will be bucks close by. the rut will have them moving around more. I suggest getting into the stand 1.5 to 2 hours before sunset. Put your bait 30yds from your stand and Clear a trail of sticks leaves branches etc 30yds left to right of your stand overlapping your bait. So you have a clear shot. The deer will find the trail and use it. Then you just have to wait. As the days get shorter the deer will come out close to the last hour of shooting light. A nice mature doe is better to eat than a rutting buck. I'll shoot a nice buck if it comes out but Im not going to hold out and wait on a buck if I see nice big doe come out.
Hope this helps some more.